Meeting Abstracts: Select & Consult

Abstract of Natural Rubber - 2005 2005

Economic developments in the future

H.P. Smit, Secretary General International Rubber Study Groep, London

The paper will try to give answers to the following questions:
- How will the world economy develop?
- What will be the effect on vehicle ownership and sales?
- How will this affect tyre sales?
- What will be total rubber demand in the various countries and regions of the world?
- Will oil continue to be scare and expensive? And, if so, will this boost demand for natural rubber?
- But will there be enough natural rubber? If not, how much synthetic rubber will be required to fill the gap?
We will look at a time horizon of a few decades.